The Physical Basis for the Lg/P Discriminant,
Abstract
Recent interest in a Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) has stimulated a desire to detect and identify much smaller seismic events. Furthermore, concern for possible proliferation of nuclear weapons into countries where nuclear weapons testing was not previously at issue requires extending seismic capabilities into new geographic regions. To reach these goals at magnitude levels of interest will require utilization of regional seismic signals. Unfortunately, implementation of effective regional discriminants has proven to be elusive due to the complexity of regional signals and incomplete physical understanding of their dependence on regional propagation and excitation. The objective of this research program is to improve fundamental understanding of the Lg/P ratio regional discriminant, which over the years has proven to be one of the most promising and enduring measures at regional stations for distinguishing between explosions and earthquakes. This investigation includes an empirical element to review and formalize the salient features of the Lg/P measure for distinct tectonic environments and different source types.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 14, 1995
- Accession Number
- ADP204407
Entities
People
- K. L. Mclaughlin
- T. J. Bennett